(No Date) Copper Civil War Patriotic Token F-511/512a, Wealth of the South

Coin Details

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 511, a Southern sympathizer design depicting the "WEALTH OF THE SOUTH," one of the secession-themed pieces struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati — these pro-Confederate tokens are paradoxically among the most collected Civil War token types, with reverse die 512 bearing a portrait or inscription referencing President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln tokens are among the most sought-after Civil War patriotic issues. The 1860 political campaign die series includes portraits of all four presidential candidates: Lincoln, Douglas, Bell, and Breckinridge. These campaign tokens, struck by Benjamin True of Cincinnati, also include provocative secession-themed designs that are paradoxically among the most prized by modern collectors. This copper striking represents the standard composition for patriotic tokens. Die sinkers chose copper because its properties — malleability, durability, and cent-like appearance — made it ideal for mass-produced emergency currency. Although undated, this token was manufactured during the 1862-1864 period when private tokens circulated as emergency currency.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 511/512a. Die pairing: obverse 511, reverse 512. Copper is the most common composition, representing the majority of surviving specimens. The Fuld rarity scale ranges from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique); survival depends on the specific die combination, metal, and condition.

Cross References

Fuld 511/512a